it's set by law at $16.4 trillion. the nation is already approaching the national debt of $16.3 trillion. nobody wants a repeat of that summer standoff we went through last year. >> certainly so. susan mcginness in washington this morning, thank you so much. >>> while washington is worried about the fiscal cliff it appears the average american is looking to spend. the holiday shopping season got started in record fashion thanksgiving night and the spending spree lasted through the weekend. according to the retail research firm big insider, a record of 247 million shoppers visited stores or websites over the four-day weekend, an increase of more than 9%. and they spent more than they ever have before, an estimated $59.1 billion. retailers hope the shopping frenzy continues today, cyber monday. cbs morning watch's ashley morrison is here in new york with that and more, good morning to you. >> good morning to you. americans' holiday shopping habits have a ripple effect on the global economy. this morning, asian markets we